The confirmation of lead-free processing techniques continues to gain momentum and is more mature than the North American market. Large Japanese OEMs in Europe are also taking a leading role in this movement. While there are some exemptions to the RoHS, article 4.1 states:

“By 1 July 2006 at the latest, Member States shall ensure that new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market does not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and/or polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE).â€?